3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A prompt action is done without any delay. □ It is not too late, but prompt action is needed.
4 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are prompt to do something, you do it without delay or you are not late. □ You have been so prompt in carrying out all these commissions. SYNONYMS prompt VERB 1
inspire: These herbs will inspire you to try out all sorts of exotic-flavoured dishes!
stimulate: I was stimulated to examine my deepest thoughts.
spur: His friend's plight had spurred him into taking part.
provoke: His election success has provoked a shocked reaction. ADJ 3
immediate: These tragic incidents have had an immediate effect.
quick: Officials played down any hope for a quick end to the bloodshed.
rapid: This signals a rapid change of mind by the government.
swift: The police were swift to act.
prompt|ing /prɒ mpt I ŋ/ (promptings ) N‑VAR If you respond to prompting , you do what someone encourages or reminds you to do. □ …the promptings of your subconscious.
prompt|ly /prɒ mptli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If you do something promptly , you do it immediately. □ Sister Francesca entered the chapel, took her seat, and promptly fell asleep.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you do something promptly at a particular time, you do it at exactly that time. □ [+ at/on ] Promptly at a quarter past seven, we left the hotel.
prom|ul|gate /prɒ m ə lge I t/ (promulgates , promulgating , promulgated )
1 VERB If people promulgate a new law or a new idea, they make it widely known. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The shipping industry promulgated a voluntary code.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a new law is promulgated by a government or national leader, it is publicly approved or made official. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] A new constitution was promulgated last month. ● prom|ul|ga|tion /prɒ m ə lge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the promulgation of the constitution.
prone /proʊ n/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] To be prone to something, usually something bad, means to have a tendency to be affected by it or to do it. □ [+ to ] For all her experience, she was still prone to nerves. □ [+ to ] People with fair skin who sunburn easily are very prone to skin cancer. ● COMB -prone combines with nouns to make adjectives that describe people who are frequently affected by something bad. □ …the most injury-prone rider on the circuit.
2 → see also accident prone
3 ADJ [ADJ after v, ADJ n] If you are lying prone , you are lying on your front. [FORMAL ] □ Bob slid from his chair and lay prone on the floor.
prong /prɒ ŋ, [AM ] prɔː ŋ/ (prongs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The prongs of something such as a fork are the long, thin pointed parts.
2 N‑COUNT The prongs of something such as a policy or plan are the separate parts of it. □ The shareholder rights movement has two prongs. □ [+ of ] The second prong of the strategy is the provision of basic social services for the poor.
-pronged /-prɒŋd, [AM ] -prɔːŋd/ COMB [ADJ n] A two -pronged or three -pronged attack, plan, or approach has two or three parts. □ …a two-pronged attack on the recession.
pro|nomi|nal /proʊnɒ m I n ə l/ ADJ Pronominal means relating to pronouns or like a pronoun. [TECHNICAL ] □ …a pronominal use.
pro|noun /proʊ naʊn/ (pronouns )
1 N‑COUNT A pronoun is a word that you use to refer to someone or something when you do not need to use a noun, often because the person or thing has been mentioned earlier. Examples are 'it', 'she', 'something', and 'myself'.
2 → see also indefinite pronoun , personal pronoun , reflexive pronoun , relative pronoun
pro|nounce /prənaʊ ns/ (pronounces , pronouncing , pronounced )
1 VERB To pronounce a word means to say it using particular sounds. □ [V n] Have I pronounced your name correctly? □ [V n n] He pronounced it Per-sha, the way the English do.
2 VERB If you pronounce something to be true, you state that it is the case. [FORMAL ] □ [V n adj] A specialist has now pronounced him fully fit. □ [V n n] I now pronounce you husband and wife.
pro|nounced /prənaʊ nst/ ADJ Something that is pronounced is very noticeable. □ Most of the art exhibitions have a pronounced Scottish theme.
pro|nounce|ment /prənaʊ nsmənt/ (pronouncements ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Pronouncements are public or official statements on an important subject. □ …the prime minister's latest pronouncements about the protection of minorities.
pron|to /prɒ ntoʊ/ ADV [ADV after v] If you say that something must be done pronto , you mean that it must be done quickly and at once. [INFORMAL ] □ Get down to the post office pronto!
pro|nun|cia|tion /prənʌ nsie I ʃ ə n/ (pronunciations ) N‑VAR The pronunciation of a word or language is the way in which it is pronounced. □ She gave the word its French pronunciation. □ You're going to have to forgive my pronunciation.